TY  - BOOK
AU  - Hix,Simon
TI  - What's wrong with the European Union and how to fix it
SN  - 0745642047
AV  - JN36 .H54 2008
U1  - 341.2422 22
PY  - 2008///
CY  - Cambridge, Malden, MA
PB  - Polity
KW  - European Union
KW  - European Union countries
KW  - Politics and government
N1  - Includes bibliographical references (pages 200-207) and index
N2  - "The European Union seems incapable of undertaking economic reforms and defining its place in the world. Public apathy towards the EU is also increasing, as citizens feel isolated from the institutions in Brussels and see no way to influence European level decisions. ; ; Taking a diagnosis and cure approach to the EU's difficulties, Simon Hix tackles these problems with distinct clarity and open-mindedness. What the EU needs, Hix contends, is more open political competition. This would promote policy innovation, foster coalitions across the institutions, provide incentives for the media to cover developments in Brussels, and enable citizens to identify who governs in the EU and to take sides in policy debates. The EU is ready for this new challenge. The institutional reforms since the 1980s have transformed the EU into a more competitive polity, and political battles and coalitions are developing inside and between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission. ; ; This emerging politics should be more central to the Brussels policy process, with clearer coalitions and identifiable winners and losers, at least in the short term. The risks are low because the EU has multiple checks-and-balances. Yet, the potential benefits are high, as more open politics could enable the EU to overcome policy gridlock, rebuild public support, and reduce the democratic deficit. This indispensable book will be of great interest to students of the European politics, scholars, policy makers and anyone concerned with the future of the European Union."--Publisher description
UR  - http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0833/2008299009-t.html
ER  -